Valutazione dell'efficacia e della tollerabilità della zonisamide come terapia aggiuntiva in pazienti con epilessia focale farmacoresistente

The aim of this open-label prospective study is to evaluate the effectiveness of zonisamide (ZNS) in paients with refractory partial epilepsy. The study is divided into three periods: a) baseline (3 months at stable therapy); b) ZNS titration up to 50 mg b.i.d. (> 2 months); c) follow-up period with ZNS dose increases in relation to clinical judgement. 45 pts were enrolled (mean age 40 years, 32/45 with Remote Symptomatic Partial Epilepsy). 33 pts, with at least three months of follow-up, entered efficacy analysis: it has been observed a statistically significant reduction in seizure monthly frequency during last three months compared to baseline (mean+SD 22.6 + 46.1 vs 12.5+22.4, respectively) (p = 0.004). 17 patients complained adverse events, which caused drop-out in 9 cases.